'A tragic, stupid and senseless act'

An iconic artefact of the 1689 Siege, the figure of Governor George Walker stands in the grounds of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Memorial Hall.

At some point in the late hours of Thursday night or early hours of Friday morning the statue was heavily damaged in a highly forceful attack.

Police at the scene gathered items for forensic examination, that may help identify the assailant or assailants. CCTV footage of the area was also being examined.

One item removed for examination was a length of iron bar, lending support to the theory that access to the area was gained from a building site behind the area, when the potential weapon may have been picked up.

As a result of the attack, the entire right arm of the stone figure was totally destroyed as well as severe damage being inflicted on its face and legs. Also, a heavy marble plaque bearing the names of the 13 Apprentice Boys, who closed the gates of the city against the advancing Jacobite forces, was smashed into pieces. And, slate tiles on the pedestal where the statue stands were also smashed.

General Secretary of the Apprentice Boys, Billy Moore told the Sentinel: "I am obviously deeply saddened that shortly after the announcement of the award of the UK City of Culture that some citizens of the city think that Protestant culture should be treated like this."

The attack comes just days before the beginning of the Maiden City Festival, a week long event celebrating the Relief of Derry in the aftermath of the Siege. The Festival culminates in the annual Apprentice Boys parade, scheduled this year for August 14.

Whilst often surrounded by serious violence in recent years the annual walk has been hailed as a model of how to deal with contentious parades. Indeed, the Maiden City Festival has received funding from the Irish Government and has been generally viewed as having been steeped in an ethos of shared history and culture in Londonderry. The festival, coming as it does at the height of summer has increasingly attracted tourists interested in hearing the tale of the Siege of Derry as well as visiting the rest of the city.

Indeed, last Friday throngs of tourists were being guided around the city Walls, whilst yards away the statue of Governor Walker lay in ruins.

A statement on behalf of the Governor General of the Apprentice Boys, Jim Brownlee, in the wake of the attack expressed the disgust felt by the organisation.

"Our Association is angry and frustrated that just weeks after being able to join in celebration with the rest of the City in anticipation of the UK City of Culture 2013 that a deliberate and clearly sectarian attack has been made on Protestant culture in this City.

"We have worked tremendously hard to reach out across communities in our city, but there is obviously a need for some to continue to harass, demonise and violently attack our culture and people. Condemnation is not enough. As a minority culture in this City we can only do so much. It is time for the majority and the authorities to bring forward a plan of action to address the ongoing and debilitating harassment to which our culture is subjected and our people suffer, that in truth diminishes everyone of whatever community we belong and further tarnishes the City's image."

Of Scots origin, the Reverend George Walker, was joint Governor of Londonderry with Colonel Robert Lundy at the start of the Siege. When Lundy attempted to deal with the Jacobites over the surrender of the City, was subsequently branded a traitor and fled, Walker assumed sole control. Walker remained defiant and endured the 105 day Siege in which it is thought 8,000 people died. The population of the City at that point was 30,000.

His statue shows Walker, Bible in his right hand, his left hand outstretched heralding the three Royal Navy ships - The Phoenix, The Jerusalem and The Mountjoy, which broke the blockade of the River Foyle, ending the Siege. Walker died a few months later on July 1, 1690 at the Battle of the Boyne whilst trying to aid Frederick Schomberg, Commander-in-Chief of the Williamite forces.

The original statue of Governor Walker stood on a column on the City's walls overlooking the Bogside until it was destroyed in a Provisional IRA bomb in 1973. All that remains of the original is the head - still on display inside the Memorial Hall in the museum.

In the early 1990s a replica statue was commissioned and was unveiled on December 12, Lundy's Day, 1992 by William Hay, now Speaker of the Assembly, and a member of the Apprentice Boys. Placed next door to the Memorial Hall, Governor Walker's statue is housed in the Apprentice Boys Garden of Remembrance that not only lauds the famed governor, but the 13 original Apprentice Boys.

Speaking to the Sentinel Mr Hay said: "I just can't understand why a statue representing a Siege and a particular culture has been attacked in the way that it has.

"This is an attack of Protestant culture and a Protestant way of life. The Apprentice Boys have done a lot of work in the past 12 to 14 years particularly in schools in the city showing what the organisation is about. There is a better understanding of what the organisation is about now.

"The attacks in the area had stopped for several months but in recent weeks there has been a lot of trouble from young people causing trouble in the area. It is obvious there are a number of people out there determined to cause trouble and this sectarian attack was planned and well planned. I will be seeking a meeting with the PSNI on these continued attacks.

"It is tragic, senseless and stupid and will get no one anywhere. And, I urge anyone with any information to pass it on to the police."

In recent years the 'new' statue has been subjected to many petrol and paint bomb attacks. But, last Friday's attack constitutes the most serious assault on the figure to date.

The financial cost of repairing the figure is as yet unknown, and there has been some suggestion that the damage is so severe that another may have to be made. What is certain is that either way it will be a highly expensive venture.

"It will cost a lot of money, money that the Apprentice Boys do not have. But, the priority will be to get the statue repaired as good as new. And, we will continue on with our parades and our culture.

"As you can see the gates here are decorative and not hard to scale, because the intention in building this place was to allow shared access to everyone, not create a fortress."

DUP East Londonderry MP, Gregory Campbell echoed Mr Hay's remarks, and said: "This is a similar mindset to that which is behind the ongoing attacks on people and property in the Fountain. There has been an orchestrated campaign periodically activated against anything that symbolises the British connection and the Unionist tradition in Londonderry. It is just over two years until the UK city of culture commemorative events take place, there must be action taken now to avoid the embarrassment of that National award being celebrated in a City where the cultural traditions of one section of the community are attacked in this fashion."

Deputy mayor, Drew Thompson who hosted the event at the Guildhall at which the city recently learned it had won the UK City of Culture accolade, said: "This is another attempt to attack Protestant culture in the run-up to the August parade. It could cost 40,000 to repair this damage. It needs to stop and it is all very well blaming dissident republicans for the continued attacks but others need to stand up and do something to end this. Even nationalist politicians can't bring themselves to say 'UK' when they are talking about the City of Culture title, so what message is that sending out to their community?"

Tony Crowe, chairman of the Walker Trust, echoed those sentiments, adding: "This is a very sad reflection on some individuals, and sends out the wrong signals, but these people will not deter those working to promote the history and culture of the organisation."

Tour manager at the Apprentice Boys Museum in the Memorial Hall, Philip Gillen in speaking about the attack said: "This is really terrible. I am dumbfounded. The statue may have to be totally replaced. Many of our members will be angry about this but I hope this will not increase tensions in the run up to the parade."

Nationalist politicians also joined in the condemnation of the attack. SDLP MLA for the city, Pat Ramsey said: "The people of Derry will be appalled to learn of this act of wanton vandalism.

"Respect for different cultures and traditions are essential as we strive to build a shared society and promote Derry as a shared city," he said.

"This type of reckless and thoughtless behaviour sends out the wrong message especially at this time of year when the streets of our city are packed with tourists from all over the globe.

"Derry has been in the media spotlight for so many good reasons lately; we will not let anyone drag us back to the past."